George Lee helps registered investment advisers and private investment fund sponsors launch and grow their businesses. Carrington Coleman’s private equity, real estate, energy, hedge  fund,  and family office clients rely on him for advice regarding fund formation, regulatory compliance, and portfolio transactions. George is credited with shaping state and federal rules – including the Texas registration exemption for private funds, and the SEC’s family office exemption.

George is both a seasoned business lawyer and forward-thinking industry leader. His experience as general counsel of  a  Texas hedge fund gives him a first-hand perspective and understanding of  how private investment firms are run.

George represents clients in the following areas:

• Fund formation
• Portfolio Investments
• Separately managed accounts
• Mergers and acquisitions of registered investment advisers
• Seed investments
• Side letters
• SEC and state examinations and investigations
• Regulatory compliance
• Internal Investigations

Experience

• Represented sponsor in launch of $50 million qualified opportunity fund
• Represented sponsor in launch of $150 million solar fund
• Represented sponsor in launch of $50 million private equity fund
• Represented sponsor in launch of $125 million hedge fund
• Represented sponsor in 506(c) offering of $75 million oil and gas fund
• Represented registered investment adviser in acquisition of another RIA
• Represented registered investment adviser in investigation by Texas Securities Board
• Represented registered investment adviser in launch of SMA business

Education

University of Texas
J.D., 1987

Carleton College
B.A., with honors, 1983, Economics

Honors and Distinction

Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law and Financial Services Regulation Law, 2020 and 2021.

Court Admissions

Texas, 1987

New York, 2002

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 1991

Associations and Affiliations

Council, State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section

Chair, State Bar of Texas, Investment Funds Committee

Past Chair, Dallas Bar Association, Securities Law Section

Member, Private Equity CFO Association, Advisory Board, Dallas Ft. Worth Chapter

Speeches and Publications

Author, SEC Clarifies Fiduciary Duty of Private Equity Fund Managers, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter, 2020 Issue One (February 2020).